Outgoing Illinois congressman to join D.C. think tank

Manzullo to help promote understanding between South Korea, U.S.

December 09, 2012|By Katherine Skiba, Chicago Tribune reporter

(Scott J. Ferrell, Congressional Quarterly/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — — Rep. Don Manzullo, a 20-year veteran of Congress who lost a re-election bid in a March primary, will join the Korea Economic Institute, a Washington think tank, after his term ends in January, an aide said.

Manzullo, 68, a Republican from Egan, will become president and CEO of the nonprofit, his spokesman Rich Carter said.

The institute, which does not lobby, is an educational and research-oriented public policy organization that promotes understanding between the U.S. and South Korea, its website says. It has ties to the government-funded Korea Institute for International Economic Policy in Seoul, it says.

Manzullo lost his 16th Congressional District seat to a first-term GOP lawmaker, Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Manteno.

Manzullo chairs the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. Carter said, "Korea is a huge ally of ours, and we've been working closely with them on a number of issues."

Another outgoing Republican, Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale, has not announced her plans but expects to work in the Chicago area, spokesman Zach Cikanek said.

Biggert, 75, a 14-year veteran, told constituents in an e-newsletter Friday that she had lost her congressional office and was working out of a basement on Capitol Hill.

She added: "I have way too much energy to slow down, and public service is in my blood, so rest assured, I will continue to stay involved."